848798C5035B4989872587E5007693B1 Hearing Summary

Senators Simpson and Sonnenberg, sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-028 to the committee. The bill creates the Groundwater Compact Compliance and Sustainability Fund for groundwater compact compliance and groundwater resource sustainability and conservation purposes. The fund will be administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources and is subject to annual appropriation. Funds may include appropriations or transfers by the General Assembly; funds from federal sources; and gifts, grants, and donations. The CWCB will disburse funds based on recommendations from the board of directors of either the Rio Grande Water Conservancy District (RGWCD) or the Republican River Water Conservation District (RRWCD), after approval by the State Engineer.

Committee members questioned the bill sponsors.

David Robbins, representing the RRWCD and the RGWCD, testified in support of the bill. Aaron Sprague, representing the RRWCD, testified in support of the bill. Marisa Fricke, representing the RGWCD, testified in support of the bill. The panel responded to committee member questions.

Mr. Richard Brown, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Timothy Coleman, representing Colorado Rural Electric Association, testified in support of the bill.
Kelly Romero-Heaney, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill.
Aaron Citron, representing The Nature Conservancy, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Romero-Heaney responded to questions from the committee.

Committee members discussed the bill with the sponsors.